Aged vs. Fresh Oud: Aging and Character

Connoisseurs distinguish between aged (old) oud and fresh oud, for aging has an effect on the character of oud resembling what time has on some perfumes. In this comparison we place the two across the axes of character, value, and use, and we show that aging genuinely changes the character, but "old" is a claim hard to verify, and the better follows the piece, not merely the description.

At a glance

The table describes general tendencies; and the lesson is in the piece, not the claim of age.

What does aging do to oud?

Storing oud for a long period in suitable conditions causes slow changes in its character: the initial sharpness calms, the scent settles, and its components may soften and balance. And so collectors appreciate aged oud as some appreciate perfumes that have "slept" for years. And this is a real effect, not a mere illusion.

But aging is not a magic that elevates every oud: for an ordinary oud stays ordinary even if it ages, and a poor one does not become fine with the passage of time. For aging refines the existing character, and does not create a quality that is not there. And so "good old" oud was originally good and then matured, not a weak oud elevated by the name of age.

"Old" is a claim hard to verify

Unlike the region or the grade, there is no precise way for the buyer to be certain of the claimed "age" of oud. For oud carries no date, and describing it as "aged ten years" is hard to prove. And for this "old" became among the most used descriptions in marketing to raise the price, without real proof.

And so we advise not to pay a large difference merely for a claim of age, but rather to judge the oud by its actual character: if its smoothness and settledness please you, then that is what you pay for, whether the claim of its age is true or not. For the nose evaluates the result, not the story.

How is oud aged? And can you age it yourself?

Oud is aged by storing it in suitable conditions: a relatively dry place, away from high heat, direct light, and strong smells, and in a container that protects it from dust and excess moisture. And with the passage of years the sharp volatile compounds calm, so the character settles and tends toward smoothness. And this is a slow process that cannot be shortened, and so truly aged oud is rare and its price rises.

And the beautiful thing is that you can age your oud yourself: buy a good fresh oud, and keep it in suitable conditions for years, and you will notice its character change gradually. So instead of paying a large difference for a claim of age that cannot be proven, you can build your own "aged stock" from an oud whose origin and grade you know. And this is an honest way by which the collector knows the age of their oud truly.

Questions to ask before buying

With claims of age, these questions become more important than the word "old":

• What is the grade of the oud and its origin? For aging refines a good origin, and does not make quality.
• How was it kept? For bad storage spoils the oud rather than ages it.
• Is the price difference based on age alone? For undocumented age does not deserve a large difference.
• Have you tried its sample? For its actual character reveals its value, not the story of its age.

These questions move you from being dazzled by the word "aged" to evaluating the piece by its actual quality and method of storage, which is the honest principle.

Which do you choose?

If you love the smooth, settled character and appreciate it, and the higher price does not concern you, then genuine aged oud may attract you. And if you want an open, lively character and wider choices, then good fresh oud is excellent, and you may age it yourself over time. And the most honest is to judge the result by the sample, not the claim of age.

And we at Oud Treasure describe the state of the oud honestly without exaggerating the claim of age. And in the following comparison we move to heavy versus light.